1980S ALL-DECADE TEAM THUNDERBIRD FOOTBALL
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THUNDERBIRD FOOTBALL 1980s ALL-DECADE TEAM 1982 Vanier Cup Champions: Widely considered as the greatest team in CIAU history, the ‘82 Thunderbirds posted a perfect 8-0 regular season record, led by the nations leading running back Glenn Steele, record setting kicker Ken Munro and a defensive unit that didn’t allow a touchdown in three consecutive league games. The Thunderbirds won the Vanier Cup national championship for the first time with a 39-14 victory over the Western Mustangs, led once again by game MVP Steele, who ran for a Vanier Cup record 236- yards behind another stellar performance in the trenches by the offensive line. Defensively, the T-Birds were dominate led by President’s Trophy winner Mike Emery-LB and Steve Harrison-LB, voted the co-defensive players of the game. The ‘82 Thunderbirds experienced a historic season – WIFL champions, Vanier Cup champions, Shrum Bowl champions and Sport BC’s ‘82 Amateur Team-of- the-Year. From that team, an unprecedented 10-players were drafted by the CFL in ‘83, including a record five first-round picks. Don Adamic Dwayne Derban Brad Fraser Carey Lapa Ron Orser K.C. Steele Bruce Barnett Laurent DesLauriers Jay Gard Kirk Layton Dave Pacholko Pieter Vanden Bos Mark Beecroft Pierre DesLauriers Bernie Glier Peter Leclaire Sheldon Petri Brian Whittaker Jack Beetstra Roger DesLauriers Chris Grdina Grant Magusin George Piva Roger Zan Brant Bengen Jerry Dobrovolny Steve Harrison Kevin Martens Jason Riley Paul Zanni James Bird Trent Edwards Bob Hoglund Scott Mehlenbacher Darin Ringenbach Frank Smith (HC) Kent Bowling Bill Ellis Peter Jeffrey Mike Monaghan Rob Ros Bob Laycoe (DC) Brian Branting Mike Emery Rob Johnson Tom Mulhern Paul Shaffer Chris Beaton (AC) Kevin Burt Marc Felgenhauer Greg Kitchen Ken Munro Dave Sidoo Jack Schriber (AC) Pat Cantner Rob Fleming Doug Kushan Stew Noble Glenn Steele Mike Canic (AC) Jim Canil (AC) 1986 Vanier Cup Champions: The ‘86 Thunderbirds are best remembered for their thrilling 25-23 victory in the second-to-last play of the game in the national final over the Western Mustangs. The inspired play of the entire offensive unit in the last two minutes led to backup quarterback Eric Putoto capping off a 62-yard drive by throwing the game winning touchdown to veteran slot-back Rob Ros with just four seconds remaining in the game. In truth, however, the entire season was one that offered numerous highlights, proving that UBC’s football program had become one of the most revered and respected in the CIAU. This included the #1 defence in the conference allowing only 82-pts, the 2nd ranked offence scoring an amassing 237pts. The playoff march started with the dominating 49-3 Hardy Cup performance vs. Calgary, and the clutch 32-30 victory over the OQIFC champion Bishop Gaiters in the national semi-final. Terry Ainge Chris Cunningham Jordan Gagner Al Jones David Moen Rob Ros Bill Barber Joe Danieli Massimo Geremia John Kadla Rob Moretto Mike Shields Jack Beetstra James Dawson Mac Gordon Craig Keller Tom Munro Doug Shorman Mike Bellefontaine Lee Deibert Vince Gorman Roald Kovacik Mark Norman Doug Spencer Doug Bryson Dwayne Derban Leo Groenewegen Tony Kristopaitis Sean Orr Tom Vlasic Carey Bymoen Chris Dobrovolny David Groves Jordan Leith Matt Pearce Frank Smith (HC) Terry Cochrane Ken Dodd Wayne Harvey Bill Long Mark Petros Bob Laycoe (DC) Kevin Clarke Clayton Doige Mike Hooker Tyler Lorenz George Petrovas Dave Easley (AC) Matt Clarke Peter Espig Richard Howlett Bruce McDonald Eric Putoto Joe Gluska (AC) Ron Crick Matt Fitzpatrick Ron Huryn Ivan Miller Rae Robirtis Gerry Parr (AC) 1980s ALL-DECADE OFFENCE / KICKERS HARDY CUP PUNTER Finalists (’81,’83,’89) KICKER Tom Dixon CW All-Star (’83,’84) Champions (’82,’86,’87) Ken Munro VC (‘82) 146 for 6,354 yards Ave 43.2 41 of 66 FG’s 62.1.%, 306-pts Mike Bellefontaine VC (’86) Mike Bellefontaine VC (’86) 295 for 11,090 yards Ave 37.9 50 of 66 FG’s 75.7%, 248-pts REC REC REC REC Craig Keller Rob Ros Tom Vlasic VC (‘86) Mike Bellefontaine VC (’86) CW all-Star (‘87), VC (‘86) CW all-Star (‘86), VC (‘82-’86) CW all-Star (’88,’89) CW all-Star (‘85) 1,488 yards-6 TD’s 1,843 yards, 13-TD’s 1,567 yards, 17-TD’s 1,464 yards,10-TD’s Todd Wickman Tom Munro VC (’82-’86) Jason Walley CW all-Star (‘87) 655 yards 8-TD’s Hardy Cup Champion (‘87) 1,164 yards, 8-TD’s CFL draft 2nd Rd, 10th overall (‘85) 1,242 yards, 14-TD’s OL OL OL OL OL Jerry Dobrovolny Pieter Vanden Bos VC (‘82) Don Adamic John Kadla VC (‘86) Leo Groenewegen VC (‘86) VC (‘82), CW all-star (’82) CW all-Star (’81,’82) VC (’82), all-Star (‘84) CW all-Star (’87,’89) CW all-Star (‘85,’86) CFL 1st Rd, 1st overall ( ‘83) Mike Torresan CW Metras-MOP (‘84) Tony Kristopaitis CIAU all-Canadian (’86) CW all-star (‘85) VC (‘86),CW all-Star (’87) George Piva VC (’82) CFL 3rd Rd, 19th overall (‘86) CW all-Star (‘81,’82) RB ATH QB RB Jim Stewart Matt Pearce VC (‘86) Jordan Gagner VC (‘86) Glenn Steele VC (‘82) CW Gnup-MOP (’89,’90) CW all-Star (‘85) CW Gnup-MOP (‘86) CIAU all-Canadian (‘81,’82,’84) 1,398 yards Ave 5.9, 11-TD’s 1,253 rushing yards 6-TD’s CW all-Star (‘86,’87) 4,335 yards, Ave 6.9, 36-TD’s Peter LeClaire VC (‘82) 1,122 receiving yards 3-TD’s Jay Gard VC (‘82) Terry Cochrane VC (‘86) 2,377 return yards 4-TD’s 1,231 yards Ave 5.8 9-TD’s Passing leader (‘81,’82,’83) 1,131 yards Ave 5.0, 16-TD’s 1980s ALL-DECADE OFFENCE 1980s ALL-DECADE SPECIALIST Honourable Mention-Offence Bowling, Kent (RB): Hardy Cup, Atlantic Bowl, Vanier Cup champion (‘82), CW all-star (‘82). 100+ yard games-216 vs. Calgary, Oct. 1st (‘82), 162 vs. St. Francis Xavier, Nov. 13th (‘82). Career Stats: 121-carries, 574-yards, 5-touchdowns. Cantner, Pat (FB): Hardy Cup, Atlantic Bowl, Vanier Cup champion (‘82). CFL draft 4th Rd, 43rd overall (‘83). Career Stats: 56-carries, 274- yards, 26-receptions, 172-yards. CFL drafted 4th Rd, 43rd overall (’83). Geremia, Massimo (RB): Hardy Cup, Western Bowl, Vanier Cup champion (‘86), CW all-star (‘86). Career Stats: 97-carries, 640-yards, 21- receptions, 160-yards and 2-touchdowns. Murray, Andrew (REC): Hardy Cup finalist (‘83), led UBC in receptions-21, yards-279, touchdowns-3 (‘84). Team high points scored in a game-18 and receiving yards-92 vs. Sask, Oct. 6th (‘84). Career Stats: 32-receptions, 496-yards 4-touchdowns. CFL drafted 4th Rd, 34th overall (‘87). Orr, Sean (OL): Hardy Cup, Western Bowl, Vanier Cup champion (‘86), CFL draft 2nd Rd, 15th overall (‘87). Robirtis, Rae (OL): Hardy Cup, Western Bowl, Vanier Cup champion (‘86). CFL draft 4th Rd, 28th overall (‘87). A Adamic, Don (OL): Hardy Cup finalist (‘81,’83), Hardy Cup, Atlantic Bowl, Vanier Cup champion (‘82), CW Metras MOP-Lineman (‘84), CW all-star (‘84,’85), CIAU all-Canadian (‘84). CFL draft 3rd Rd, 24th overall (‘85). B Bellefontaine, Mike (KR/REC/K): Hardy Cup, Western Bowl, Vanier Cup champion (‘86), Hardy Cup, Western Bowl champion (‘87), led CW in scoring-175 pts (‘87,’88), led CW in converts-23 and field goals-18 (‘87), led UBC in punting yards-2,959, receptions-33 and receiving yards-485 (‘85), led UBC in punting yards (’86,’87,’88), led UBC in field goals-17 (‘88), set-11 school records including most punting yards in a game-584 vs. Manitoba, Sept. 19th (‘87), punting yards in a career-11,090, most punts in a season-123 (‘87) and a career-295, most field goal attempts in a season-36 (‘87), field goals made in a game-5 vs. Sask, Sept. 26th (‘87), highest field goal percentage in a season-77.7 and career-75.7, most field goals made in a season-28 (‘87) and most kickoff’s in a career-47. CW all-star- REC (‘88), CFL signed as an undrafted free-agent (’89). Career Stats: 101-receptions, 1,488 receiving yards and 6-touchdowns. 1980s ALL-DECADE OFFENCE 1980s ALL-DECADE SPECIALIST C Cochrane, Terry (RB/KR): Hardy Cup, Western Bowl, Vanier Cup champion (‘86), Maury Van Vliet Trophy Mitchell Bowl-MOP (‘86). Led CW in rushing touchdowns-8 (‘85), tied the CW lead for most punt returns in a game-6 and touchdowns-1 vs. Alberta, Sept. 5th (‘86). Set the school record for all-purpose yards in a season-1,552 (‘86), led UBC for most kickoff return yards-89 and longest return-57 in a game vs Sask, Sept. 1st (’84), led UBC in scoring-48 pts, touchdowns-8 and rushing yards-863 (‘85), including the longest run-65 vs. Alberta, Oct. 18th (‘85). Led UBC in rushing carries-56, touchdowns in a season-5 and longest punt return-42 (‘86), led UBC in all-purpose yards-736 (’85). 100+ yard games-140 vs. Sask, Sept. 7th (’85), 131 vs. Calgary, Nov. 7th (‘86), 115 vs. Sask, Sept. 27th (‘85). CFL draft 5th Rd, 38th overall (‘87). Career Stats: 224-carries, 1,131-rushing yards, 352-receiving yards, 90-kick returns for 954-yards, 17-combined touchdowns. Inducted into the UBC Football Wall of Honour (’19). D Dixon, Tom (K/P): Hardy Cup finalist (‘83), led CW in punts-146, and yards-6,454 (‘83,’84), led CW in scoring-117 pts (’83,’84), led CW in kickoff’s-24 and yards-1,401 (‘84).